Sunday, October 19, 2014

Contend for the Faith


Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.  Jude 3

Our world is filled with false teachings.  We are called in Scripture to contend for the faith.  To be able to contend for the faith, we have to know the truth which is found only in God’s Word.  Jude’s letter was a reminder to the church for constant vigilance.  In addition, it was an encouragement to the church to keep strong in the faith and to oppose false teachings.  We are being called today to continue to be strong in our faith, even when confronted with false teachings.  We are being called to be vigilant and to recognize and confront the false teachings which are infiltrating our homes and churches.  But to recognize and confront these false teachings, we must know the truth which is only found in the Word of Almighty God.  

Jude was the half-brother of Jesus.  He was one of the leaders in the early Christian church.  Jude was emphasizing to the Jewish Christians the important relationship between correct doctrine and true faith.  God’s Holy Word gives us the real facts about Jesus and salvation.  Any doctrine that does not align itself with God’s Word is false doctrine.  The truth of God’s Word must never be compromised.  God’s Word should never be manipulated or twisted to fit an agenda or a belief. In verse 4, we notice that false teachers were teaching that Christians could do whatever they wanted to do without fear of God’s punishment.  For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.  They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.  We must never look at God’s holiness and His justice lightly.  Be on guard against false teachers who are twisting Scripture teachings to justify their own opinions, lifestyles, or wrong behavior.  There will come a time of judgment when God will judge the false teachers for excusing, tolerating, and promoting sin. 

 How do we know the truth?  How do we contend for the faith?  We must spend time in the study of God’s Word allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to our very souls.  Without the study of God’s Holy Word, we cannot know what to defend.  The study of God’s Word needs to be a priority in our daily lives.  God reveals truth to us and speaks to us as we read and study the Bible.  We must guard our hearts so we will not be led astray by false teachings. 

We contend for the faith when we grow and mature in our faith walk with our Savior and LORD.  Knowledge of God’s Word is important but we must possess an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus.  We must possess more than head knowledge.  We have been blessed with the precious gift of the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us and teach us as we study the Word of God.  John 16:13 – But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  As we study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will teach us truth, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from God’s will.  John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

Christians have various preferences –  types of music in worship, methods of worship, methods of outreach.  That is fine.  That is a preference.  But we must be unified and defend the truth of God’s Holy Word.  We must contend for the faith.  Stand on the truth of God’s Holy Word. 

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to contend for the faith in this world filled with false teachings.  Reveal truth to us found in Your Holy Word so that when presented with false teachings we are about to recognize and confront these false teachings with the truth.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen

 

 

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